All the biggest TV shows that have been canceled so far this year
It’s no secret that streaming platforms offer the toughest conditions. Yes, there are mega-hits like House of the Dragon and The Bear, but underneath there’s a whole microcosm of shows fighting to survive, or at least to reach the ratings that those in charge deem worthy of another season.
Even when the signs are good – as with Prime Video’s My Lady Jane, which launched to great acclaim in June – that doesn’t necessarily save the channel from the executioner’s axe (the film was canceled earlier this month).
And that’s not all. Following the news that Star Wars series The Acolyte was canceled earlier this week, we thought it was time to do a roundup of the most notable series canceled so far this year. Haven’t heard from your favorite series in a while? This could be why…
My Lady Jane – Prime Video
Jonathan Prime/Prime Video
On August 16, Deadline confirmed that Prime Video had decided not to renew the Tudor fantasy series. Despite positive reviews, the series was not rated high enough on the streaming service Nielsen to make a renewal worthwhile. Naturally, fans did not take the news particularly well.
“The cancellation of My Lady Jane is a huge misstep. I can’t think of any other current show that has overcome bad marketing so quickly and seemingly generated so much loyalty and conversation from everyone who has watched it,” wrote one. “It really is so magical and entertaining. It deserves more!!”
Disney+’s latest foray into the Star Wars universe ended with a bang when it was announced in August that the series would be canceled after one season. It left several storylines open – including one of the protagonists turning to the dark side – but perhaps that’s no surprise. After all, the series didn’t have many viewers and was also bombarded with reviews from some angry fans upon its release.
The premiere of the second season of Halo will take place on February 8
Outstanding
That used to be an anticlimax. After two seasons of buildup (for heaven’s sake, they just got to Halo), the series – based on the popular video games – was canceled by Paramount+ on July 18. “Paramount+ can confirm that ‘Halo’ will not continue with a third season on the service,” the streamer said – though it looks like the show’s creators are trying to sell it elsewhere, so there’s still hope.
Outer Range – Prime Video
Josh Brolin’s sci-fi western was a twisty, lore-filled series that combined the mythology of the Old West with life in modern-day Wyoming. And while it was well-received by viewers, it was canceled by Prime Video in July – which, of course, resulted in all of the characters facing cliffhanger fates. Boo.
American-Born Chinese – Disney+
Another victim of exceptionally fast streaming, this wacky fantasy series was compared to A24’s mega-hit Everything Everywhere All At Once and was packed with stars – including Michelle Yeoh. It even received good reviews when it came out last year, but was canceled in January due to poor ratings.
Buy Beverly Hills – Netflix
Real estate porn fans should look away now. The show, which first aired in 2022, followed a team of real estate agents at The Agency in Los Angeles. Think gorgeous, huge homes and celebrity clients – but the show was canceled by Netflix after it said the “ratings weren’t right compared to the production costs.”
AppleTV+
Too quirky for mainstream success? Schmigadoon, which took its run-of-the-mill heroes into various musical-inspired worlds, managed to last two seasons, but series co-creator Cinco Paul shared the news in January. “I’m sorry to announce that Apple will not be moving forward with Season 3 of Schmigadoon!” he wrote, adding: “The season is written (including 25 new songs), but unfortunately we won’t be making it. That’s life.”
The grand prize – Apple TV+
Another Apple casualty. This series was based on the book by MO Walsh and Chris O’Dowd played Dusty, one of the residents of a town that is forever changed by the arrival of a strange machine. Although season two ended on a cliffhanger, the series was apparently canceled by Apple within weeks of its release. Yuck.
Constellation – Apple TV+
Noomi Rapace in Constellation on Apple TV+
AppleTV+
The parallel-universe-hopping, hyper-complicated series Constellation premiered in April—but barely a month later, the show was canceled by Apple TV+. Although Apple never released the show’s ratings, it sees many of the main characters (including Noomi Rapace’s lead character, Jo) face an uncertain fate. How about a one-off special to wrap it up?
Despite Sarah Paulson’s brilliant and twisted portrayal of Nurse Ratched (aka the villain from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Netflix canceled the series after just one season – despite originally signing a two-season deal. Paulson confirmed the news in February 2024, four years after the first season aired and after wild speculation about the future of the series.
The Flight Attendant – Max/ Sky
Was it canceled? Could it still return? The future of Kaley Cuoco’s thriller series is still uncertain. What we do know is that the series has entered creative limbo after the conclusion of season 2 in May 2022, and while Cuoco has hinted that she could return, Max has said that “no official decision” has been made yet.
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Another baffling decision by Max was the cancellation of Julia – the show about celebrity chef Julia Child – earlier this year. Featuring a strong ensemble cast including Sarah Lancashire as Child and David Hyde Pierce as husband Paul, the show’s return was hotly debated, but poor ratings appear to have forced the streamer to cancel once again.
Our flag means death – Max/Sky
Another casualty of the recent Max cancellations, this brilliant, quirky comedy show starring Taika Waititi as part of a group of inept pirates plundering the high seas was ultimately canceled after reports surfaced of tension between the cast and creators over the show’s end. Plus, Waititi’s availability might have made it difficult to continue filming – but hey, there’s a dedicated fan campaign to bring the show back.
